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**Rebirth Sword God Volume 87 Chapter 19**

[Is that so?]

Ajidahaka didn’t seem surprised at my declaration of not using internal power. Instead, he immediately took on a strange stance, gripping the sword backward.

Argel, the Sword Emperor, Eternal External Thousand Techniques.

Ceremony 411th Technique.

Blood Palace Seven Moon.

Kugugugu!!

Soon, palpable blood qi began to condense visibly on the sword he was holding backward. Knowing that this was the manifestation of powerful qi forming layers in reality, I couldn’t help but imagine the terrifying might of Blood Palace Seven Moon, realizing it must rival the secret techniques of the peerless masters I had encountered thus far.

Ajidahaka spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.

[It seems you have grasped something. Prove whether you truly are at the Divine Realm!!]

Tuhwak!

In the next moment, Ajidahaka unleashed a single slash into the void, and simultaneously, a massive crimson aura filled the tournament arena, forming Sword Qi. As I witnessed the layers of this Sword Qi morph into a kaleidoscope of colors in an instant, I realized.

‘A rainbow of colors… That’s the realm of enlightenment Ajidahaka has attained!’

It was highly likely that this phenomenon had a name, perhaps another absolute realm altogether!

In other words, I had been facing a technique layered with absolute realm swordplay since earlier. Among the martial artists on the ground, no one could pull off such a crazy stunt, and I couldn’t help but think that technically, only a future Asura could achieve such perfection.

Even so, thanks to the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique and the Soul of the Four Gods, my internal power would certainly be superior. When it came down to pure strength, I wouldn’t stand a chance if I wasn’t careful, and thinking this made me want to unleash all my internal power right then and there to absorb Ajidahaka’s superior energy.

‘… No, I’ve already promised not to use internal power. Besides…’

Obviously, if I tried to counter Ajidahaka’s technique through conventional means, I would be met with a backlash that could only paint a disadvantageous picture for me.

Honestly, being forced to rely on raw strength as a martial artist is another humiliation!

I had endured that humiliation for the sake of survival, but today, I could not bear it anymore.

Isn’t a martial arts duel supposed to be about overcoming your opponent with technique as well?

Tension surged within me, feeling a rebellious streak arise. After all, if I messed up, I’d die anyway, right? I thought that even if I lost here due to lacking skills, I still wanted to keep my vow. With that, I focused all my mental strength and tried to read Ajidahaka’s flow while remaining in my natural state.

Ssssss

As expected, I could read it naturally. Unlike when I had fought loudly using the Soul of the Four Gods, the flow felt extraordinarily clear this time, and I felt as if I were a dandelion seed helplessly swaying before a fierce wind. However, even while sensing this strength, I lacked the determination to confront it head-on. On the surface, I appeared utterly disadvantaged, and it felt like I would die instantly if I so much as brushed against Blood Palace Seven Moon, yet I remained concentrated and unruffled.

Blink!!

In the next moment, Blood Palace Seven Moon rushed toward me with a speed comparable to the Thunder Spirit, wreaking havoc in every direction. As expected, with such a long lead time, once activated, it showcased an overwhelming power and velocity characteristic of an absolute realm technique.

Kwaaahhh!

Though everything around me was destroyed, I succeeded in reading the “flow” accurately in the midst of chaos. Strangely feeling as if I was absorbing the opponent’s strength without using any internal power, I stepped forward, moving the Seven Steps until I felt Ajidahaka within range and dashed at him.

Dark Night Slash!

Kagakang!!

“……!!”

I unleashed the Dark Night Slash, which had buried countless foes in a single strike. However, Ajidahaka seemed to have anticipated this, easily deflecting my strike in mid-air. He blocked it so effortlessly that I felt utterly deflated, while Ajidahaka, with their swords locked, said while letting out a faint glow.

[If I were merely a common absolute realm master, your counterattack upon understanding the flow would have ended things here. But reading the flow isn’t your exclusive strength alone.]

“…….”

I was momentarily stunned before chuckling softly.

“I sensed you would say that.”

Creeeaaak

I subtly shifted my weight forward and changed my center of gravity. As I attempted to close the distance, Ajidahaka smoothly adjusted their weight and aimed to shift the situation in their favor. Experiencing such an ultra-close duel, I realized I was engaged in an intense game of wits with my opponent in my mind.

Bbang!

Ajidahaka suddenly delivered a kick, striking my solar plexus and sending me flying. I lightly deflected the attack with my transformation technique while flying back and used the recoil to approach Ajidahaka again. Suddenly, Ajidahaka conjured sixteen spectral swords surrounding their body and unleashed them toward me in an instant.

Pew pew pew!

Under normal circumstances, I would have simply let the spectral swords fly past and enveloped myself with the power of the Nine Chambers of Thunder to withstand them while charging forward. I had the capability for that. But, after feeling each spectral sword with my intent, I deduced the optimal way to evade and gracefully dodged to the side using the Three Steps technique.

I then approached again to deliver my Dark Night Slash. As Ajidahaka faced my second Dark Night Slash, they blocked it with the same ease as before.

Kakang!!

Once again, swords crossed, and Ajidahaka gazed into my eyes, saying,

[You’ve shed hesitation from your techniques!]

“Pfft, evaluation, huh… Do you really think you’re superior to me?”

[No… but to cast off confusion in the blink of an eye… It seems you’ve recently found a good master.]

To think they’d sense the presence of Asura beyond my martial skills in such a short span, Ajidahaka truly was worthy of the title Sword Saint.

Tydaht!

This time, Ajidahaka pulled their sword away and retreated of their own accord. They lowered their sword and said,

[It seems you’ve realized that you cannot properly utilize the Soul of the Four Gods yet. And being able to command all without relying on internal power… Let me apologize for my earlier words.]

I replied with a grin.

“I’ll accept your apology.”

Ajidahaka was right.

Using the Soul of the Four Gods after such a long time, each technique was powerful, but I had yet to learn how to link them together to draw out ‘one strength.’ Thanks to that sheer power, I could push through against Ajidahaka without any techniques, but that couldn’t be called a genuine martial arts battle.

‘I need more research and combat experience with the Soul of the Four Gods. It overflows with potential, but my understanding is lacking! At least in my current state, I can only rely on pure force…’

With that in mind, I resolved to shed the reliance on sheer strength and purge all my abilities rooted in internal power. I chose to consciously forgo using internal power and move solely with my intent. By doing so, I could read the “flow” even better, and the Dark Night Slash, which would usually tire me after one use, seemed as though I could unleash it multiple times now.

Of course, by refraining from using internal power while only relying on my intent, I effectively stripped myself of the additional offensive or defensive capabilities that typically come from merging both, voluntarily reducing my strength, yet if I could respond accurately to my opponent’s techniques, there wouldn’t be any major problems. If I concentrated only on the precise point with correct force, the outcome wouldn’t differ significantly.

Suddenly, it felt as if I had shed my shackles and was free again!

‘This is intriguing. Objectively speaking, using internal power would be stronger in terms of overall combat power… Yet by giving up uncontrolled strength, it has made my strategies more agile and solid.’

Ajidahaka remarked,

[You’re now a worthy master. Perhaps you truly deserve to sit upon the throne…]

Really?

When I stared at him with a hint of skepticism, Ajidahaka continued,

[This sincere attack… Come and receive it!!]

Chi-ching!!

Suddenly, all the energy disappeared from Ajidahaka’s body, and a rainbow-colored halo appeared behind his head. I instinctively felt that this halo was not formed from energy or intent and was taken aback by an unknown sense of holiness.

‘Divine Power? Ah… no. That’s something entirely different.’

Ajidahaka stretched their sword forward, seemingly gauging the distance to the opponent with a sword technique. Then, while focusing all of their intent into that one motion, Ajidahaka withdrew their intent entirely and entered a complete state of formlessness.

In that moment, I instinctively realized I too needed to eliminate all my strength. Until now, I had been able to track Ajidahaka’s changes with my sight, but from now on, it was clear that I had to surpass the capabilities of sight itself. Activating my sixth sense, I felt anxious when I still couldn’t perceive Ajidahaka’s technique.

As I strongly activated my sixth sense at that moment, I barely noticed that Ajidahaka’s sword held the momentum of natural change within it, yet still, I couldn’t grasp the entirety of that transformation. Facing Ajidahaka’s realm of enlightenment head-on, instead of feeling pressure, I felt awe.

‘It’s unmistakable…!!’

This is the Divine Skill for certain!!

In the next moment, Ajidahaka’s sword swung horizontally.

Argel, the Sword Emperor, Eternal External Thousand Techniques.

First Technique.

Divine Realm.

Ganges Sand.

Swoosh!!

Was it an illusion to think countless grains of sand scattered around me? Yet, in a state of heightened sixth sense, an illusion couldn’t exist, and soon I realized that my senses were grasping a countless collection of invisible sword techniques filling the heavens and earth, surpassing the realm of intent I previously had. Puzzled at not knowing what these grains were, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.

“…!!”

Swords like clouds.

Swords like petals.

Commonly, the area-based techniques known in Jianghu were all linked to density. And as I contemplated the density symbolized by the particles I referred to, something utterly unimaginable erupted forth.

A desert…?!

With a rush of sand winds, the world around me became engulfed in a vision akin to a desert. I could neither discern if this was an illusion or reality, but I could tell that it was sword energy at a level far from the techniques of absolute realms. Moments later, Ajidahaka’s sword, directly piercing through that desert vision, came slicing toward me.

There was no other way.

In an attempt to counter it with Dark Night Slash, I soon sensed something was awry.

Swish!

‘Ugh! This kind of realm is…!’

Though the range of Dark Night Slash dispelled the Divine Skill of Ganges, everything else remained intact! I realized that unless I could cut through all directions in one go with Dark Night Slash, I wouldn’t be able to withstand this!

Boom!!

I was swept away by the swirling sandstorm of sword energy and blown apart. As I rolled on the ground and quickly stood up, Ajidahaka spoke, almost in awe.

[You managed to protect all your acupoints against the Divine Skill in that moment. How did you do it?]

“…….”

[A defensive technique that even I couldn’t recognize. You’re an incredible Sword Hero beyond my expectations.]

Well, there you go…

I felt something was strange. Just a moment ago, I had failed to counter with Dark Night Slash, finding myself in grave danger, but somehow I ended up merely with superficial wounds bleeding profusely. Although it looked severe on the outside, given that internal injuries are much more deadly for martial artists, I actually had escaped quite well.

The real concern was that I couldn’t even fathom how I had withstood Ajidahaka’s Divine Skill without using any internal power. Surely, the outcome should have been decided at the point I couldn’t block Ganges…

Wait a moment…

If I was unscathed against the Divine Skill?

‘Ah!’

In that instant, I realized the shocking truth.

“……!!”

I had something within me that resonated with the power of Divine Skill.